Russell was born in Galveston. She formerly worked for the University of Texas Medical Branch's Animal Research Department. She was an avid animal lover and had a great sense of humor, according to the Hayes Funeral Home website, hayesfuneralhome.com.

She is survived by her husband of eight years, William “Bill” Russell, of Hitchcock; her stepfather, Robert Roland Polk of Santa Fe; a son, Robert Carden, of Galveston; daughters, Sydney Carden and Kitt Garcia, both of Galveston; a brother, Richard James Mitchell Sr. and his wife, Kathy, of Texas City; grandchildren, Jayce, Logan, Emma, Robert and Asia; and aunts and uncles.